Agenda item

At the last Housing and Major Projects Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel the Panel received an update on Boat and Mobile Home Dwellers from the Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning, which included a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Council and the Canals and River Trust. The Panel were asked to consider if they wished to undertake any policy review work on this matter and if they would support the MOU. It was agreed at this meeting that there were a number of issues that still needed further investigation and that the Panel should undertake some Task and Finish Group work to explore some of these issues further and report back to the Panel in May 2013.

The Chair invited Mr Ransom to address the Panel.

Mr Ransom informed them that he had lived on the river for seven years and was proud of the community in which he lived in. He explained that a co-operative had been set up for the community which now had 17 members. He added that the site is now home to several families, including two new babies over the Christmas period.

He said that the site was adjacent to Somerdale and that they considered themselves to be very much a part of the Keynsham community. He offered the Panel the opportunity to visit the site as part of the review.

The Policy Development & Scrutiny Manager introduced the report to the Panel. She explained that at the November meeting of the Panel they received an update on Boat and Mobile Home Dwellers from the Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning, which included a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Council and the Canals and River Trust.

She added that the Panel were asked to consider if they wished to undertake any policy review work on this matter and if they would support the MOU. It was agreed at the meeting that there were a number of issues that still needed further investigation and that the Panel should undertake some Task and Finish Group work to explore some of these issues further and report back to the Panel in May 2013.

Councillor Will Sandry commented that he was delighted to see this piece of work being progressed. He asked if the area of river for review had been decided upon. He suggested that it could be carried out between Bradford on Avon and Bristol.

The Chair replied that the review area had not been decided upon yet.

Councillor Charles Gerrish addressed the Panel. He spoke of the vibrant boating communities within Keynsham East and Saltford and that he was keen for their voices to be heard. He added that he felt there was a natural boundary for the review at the Hanham Gorge.

The Chair invited Councillor Dave Laming to address the Panel. He stated that vibrant communities existed along the whole length of the river. He informed them that the Portavon Marina had substantial moorings but no facilities on site. He added that many more vessels were moored between here and the site at Newbridge and that safe moorings were required for all.

The Chair proposed that the area for review should be between Hanham Lock and Dundas Aqueduct.

The Panel agreed with this proposal.

The Chair invited members of the Panel to join her as part of the Task & Finish Group.

Councillor Brian Simmons (Conservative) and Councillor Gerry Curran (Liberal Democrat) agreed to take part on behalf of their groups.

Councillor June Player nominated Councillor Dave Laming to be co-opted onto the Task & Finish Group as the representative for the Independent Group.

The Panel RESOLVED to;

i)  Approve the draft terms of reference for the Task and Finish Group work

ii)  Agree to undertake the review within the timescales set out in the terms of reference.

iii)  Agree a Cross Party Membership Task and Finish Group who will lead on co-ordinating the Task and Finish group’s activities

Task & Finish Group Members:

Councillor Eleanor Jackson (Lead Member)

Councillor Brian Simmons

Councillor Gerry Curran

Councillor Dave Laming